---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 16279"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "16279"
heading: "Budget plan"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/16279"
units:
  - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs"
  - "Subchapter IX — Research and Development"
  - "Part E — Nuclear Energy"
---

# §16279. Budget plan

- (a) **In general—** Not later than 1 year after September 28, 2018, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 2 alternative 10-year budget plans for civilian nuclear energy research and development by the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4), as described in subsections [(b)](#b) through [(d)](#d).
- (b) **Budget plan alternative 1—** One of the budget plans submitted under [subsection (a)](#a) shall assume constant annual funding for 10 years at the appropriated level for the current fiscal year for the civilian nuclear energy research and development of the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1).
- (c) **Budget plan alternative 2—** One of the budget plans submitted under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be an unconstrained budget.
- (d) **Inclusions—** Each alternative budget plan submitted under [subsection (a)](#a) shall include—
  - (1) a prioritized list of the programs, [projects](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12), and activities of the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1) to best support the development of advanced nuclear reactor technologies;
  - (2) realistic budget requirements for the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1) to implement sections [16275(c)](/usc/42/16275.md?p=c), [16277](/usc/42/16277.md), and [16278](/usc/42/16278.md) of this title;
  - (3) the justification of the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1) for continuing or terminating existing civilian nuclear energy research and development programs; and
  - (4) a description of the progress made under the programs described in [section 16279a of this title](/usc/42/16279a.md).
- (e) **Updates—** Not less frequently than once every 2 years, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate updated 10-year budget plans which shall identify, and provide a justification for, any major deviation from a previous budget plan submitted under this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 959, as added Pub. L. 115–248, § 2(i), Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3160; amended Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, § 2005, 134 Stat. 2470.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2020—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–260, § 2005(1), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “One of the budget plans submitted under subsection (a) shall assume constant annual funding for 10 years at the appropriated level for the civilian nuclear energy research and development of the Department for fiscal year 2016.”

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 116–260, § 2005(2)–(4), added par. (4).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 116–260, § 2005(5), added subsec. (e).